Beware of water deeper than the intake height above the roadway, plus give yourself a margin of safety. I never like going through standing water (other than "mud puddles"), or worse yet, moving water, because you never know what lurks beneath the surface. The stock intake is almost as high as the hood (at the front). If anybody gets into water that deep with stock, they've got bigger concerns than hydro lock.
Lorin2003 Pontiac Vibe GT, Neptune-mono, moons & tunes, power package, side impact airbags, rear seat covers, bumper protector, cargo mat.Mods installed: TRD exhaust, TRD stb, Mods removed: TRD CAI - annoyed by CEL
I researched this throughly because I am from Michigan also and had the same concern. The chace of hydrolock is very slim. You would have to completely submerge the filter in order to do that. About the only way you could do this is if you drove into the lake or a flooded area. Any mist or splash would not damage anything. AEM makes a bypass valve, but they do not have one for the Vibe. They said that the design doesn't require it. I spoke with a technician at AEM about this issue. He was really great. If you have any questions about it, call AEM at 1-310-484-2322 extension 247. The technicians name is Robert Green. He was extremely helpful. I hope this helps.
***SOLD***2003 Vibe GT Monotone Neptune - Inaugural October 2004 Vibe of the Month***SOLD***
Now the proud owner of Titanium Silver 2012 Kia Optima SX
I think I'll be ok. Now I gotta make the decision between Injen, AEM, and TRD. I like the chrome on the Injen better than candy apple red on the TRD....
Lorin2003 Pontiac Vibe GT, Neptune-mono, moons & tunes, power package, side impact airbags, rear seat covers, bumper protector, cargo mat.Mods installed: TRD exhaust, TRD stb, Mods removed: TRD CAI - annoyed by CEL